Lubbock alcohol petition drive hits goal

Published: Saturday, October 18, 2008

CHRIS VAN WAGENEN

What was scheduled to take 60 days barely took two weeks as Let Lubbock Vote announced Friday it had gathered and independently verified the signatures of more than 25,000 residents who want to vote on whether to legalize alcohol sales in Lubbock County.

"The citizens of Lubbock have spoken and spoken loudly," said David George, chairman of the political action committee formed by the Chamber of Commerce.

George said Let Lubbock Vote collected more than 33,000 signatures in nine days, all of which will be turned over to the county elections administrator once the PAC settles up with its paid consultant.

Austin-based Texas Petition Strategies, which confirmed the PAC now has the signatures it needs to place the issue before voters, is owed more than $100,000 for its part in the campaign.

"This is the fastest collaborated effort we've ever been involved in," said John Hatch, a partner and consultant at Texas Petition Strategies, whose paid staff at one point numbered 30 on the ground.

"It makes you think what would have happened had we collected signatures for the entire 60 days," said George, alluding to the legal deadline.

Brant O'Hair, co-chairman for Truth About Alcohol Sales, an organization that is fighting the issue, said he was aware of the petition outcome but had no comment other than to say: "We are for the people's right to vote."

On Thursday, the group held a town hall meeting in South Lubbock as part of a rally aimed at defeating the alcohol issue by educating the public on how lives and property values could change if it passes.

The Chamber of Commerce says its part is done.

Chamber President Eddie McBride said other than encouraging residents to vote, the city's business organization intends to stay neutral on the issue.

"As soon as we collect every dollar (owed to the consultant), we'll be deaf and mute. We will not take a side in this," he said.

Neither George nor McBride would comment on a second organized PAC that's expected to be formed shortly after Jan. 1 that will lead an effort to:

 Legalize the sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only.

 Legalize the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.

The group is expected to operate independently of the chamber as a separate PAC with its own leadership and own fundraising goals.

George said Let Lubbock Vote will continue gathering signatures at the Lubbock chamber's office and at other civic functions as part of an effort to raise the remaining money it needs to pay the consultant.

"As far as we're concerned, the signature effort is over. Once we raise the money (to pay TPS), this PAC is over," he said.